By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 247

(In the Senate - Filed November 18, 2016; January 30, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education; May 1, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 2; May 1, 2017, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 247 By: Menéndez

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to funding sources for the repayment of certain speech-language pathologist and audiologist education loans.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 61.9818, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 61.9818. PROGRAM FUNDING. (a) The program may be funded [solely] from:

(1) gifts, grants, and donations solicited and accepted by the board for the purposes of this subchapter; and

(2) a portion of the fees collected under Chapter 51, Occupations Code, as determined under Subsection (b).

(b) The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation by rule may, in consultation with the advisory board established under Subchapter C, Chapter 401, Occupations Code, provide that a portion of the fees collected under Chapter 51, Occupations Code, from persons regulated under Chapter 401, Occupations Code, may be allocated to fund the program, provided that the portion is in an amount that does not result in an increase in fees paid under Chapter 51, Occupations Code, by those persons.

SECTION 2. A rule adopted under Section 61.9818(b), Education Code, as added by this Act, may not take effect earlier than the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2019.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

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